Virginia Blue Ridge Railway

Virginia Blue Ridge Railway
Company type	Private
Industry	Railroad
Founded	1914
Defunct	1981
Headquarters	United States
Area served	Central Virginia
Products	Freight transportation (lumber, titanium dioxide, aplite)

The Virginia Blue Ridge Railway was a notable intrastate short line railroad that operated within central Virginia throughout the 20th century.

History

Established in 1914, the railway’s construction commenced in 1915. The VBR extended from Tye River Depot located in Nelson County, where it linked to the Southern Railway, reaching as far as Massies Mill. Originally constructed to haul chestnut lumber from the Piney River region to nearby mills, its primary freight shifted following the chestnut blight that severely damaged timber supplies. Later, the line primarily transported materials from quarries extracting titanium dioxide and aplite. The route traversed several communities, including Roses Mill, Piney River, Canopy, Lowesville, and Buffalo Mine. Steam locomotive service concluded on August 1, 1963, signaling a change in operational focus. The railway was ultimately abandoned in 1981; however, parts of its former path were converted into the Blue Ridge Railway Trail as part of a rails-to-trails initiative in the early 2000s.

Locomotives

The locomotive fleet of the Virginia Blue Ridge Railway comprised various steam and diesel models essential to its operations and expansion:

Number/Name	Wheel Arrangement	Manufacturer	Serial Number	Year Built	Year Retired	Remarks
1	2-8-0	H.K. Porter, Inc.	unknown	1915	1953	The sole engine procured new by VBR; dismantled in 1953.
2 (186)	2-8-0	Richmond Locomotive Works	2472	1895	1947	Purchased from Southern Railway in 1938; scrapped in 1947.
3	4-6-0	Baldwin Locomotive Works	unknown	1909	1946	Previously Augusta Southern Railroad #73; scrapped in 1946.
1st #4	0-4-0ST	Vulcan Iron Works	unknown	1909	1943	Operated until 1931; later preserved as a historical exhibit.
2nd #4	0-6-0	Baldwin Locomotive Works	31899	1907	1951	Former military and regional line locomotive; currently preserved at Wilmington and Western Railroad.
5	0-6-0	American Locomotive Company	unknown	1942	1963	Final steam freight engine; preserved at Whippany Railway Museum.
6	2-8-0	Baldwin Locomotive Works	32312	1907	1959	Dubbed The Big Engine; now displayed statically at Whippany Railway Museum.
7	0-6-0	Lima Locomotive Works	unknown	1944	1963	Originated from military service; scrapped in 1976 with components reused for restoration efforts.
8	0-6-0	American Locomotive Company	unknown	1942	1963	Former U.S. Army locomotive; later employed for excursion trips; presently held privately.
9	0-6-0	American Locomotive Company	unknown	1942	1963	Hauled the last steam freight train; currently owned by SMS Rail Lines.
10	SW1	Electro-Motive Diesel	1051	1940	in service	Transferred to Union Tank Car Company; remains operational.
11	SW1	Electro-Motive Division	unknown	1940	unknown	Utilized for parts and industrial purposes after VBR service.
12	SW1	Electro-Motive Division	1053	1940	in service	Sold to Union Tank Car Company; still active.

References